Love and Mercy

“And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?” Jonah 4:11 (NIV)

God’s love and compassion covers everybody; even those who have performed heinous crimes. If they repent of their sins, God forgives them unreservedly. Many of us however harbor a lot of unforgiveness in our hearts.

Jonah thought that the Assyrians were beyond redemption. They were a cruel and heartless enemy. When he reluctantly went to preach to the people of the Assyrian capital Nineveh, they humbled themselves before God and repented; thereby averting God’s destruction. Jonah was annoyed. He had wanted them totally destroyed. God reminded him that He cared deeply for each of the one hundred and twenty thousand people in Nineveh and even their animals!

We should take God’s word even to those who appear far from God. We should intercede for them in love and forgiveness. For it is the will of Christ that everybody comes to him.

*****

"He who follows righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honor." Proverbs 21:21 NKJV

*****